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Gusto has appointed Maddy Fullalove as Business Development Manager for its new Lytham restaurant.

The premium restaurant brand opened its Lytham site amid much expectation and excitement in April and has already carved a reputation for stylish fine dining in the beautiful Lancashire coastal town.

Maddy, 28, joins Gusto from Revolution where she was sales and marketing manager at its sites in Blackpool and Manchester.

Maddy said: “I am delighted to join such a prestigious company as Gusto. I am relishing the opportunity and I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“The restaurant in Lytham is stunning and the feedback we have received from customers since opening has been wonderful. Fantastic customer service is absolutely at the heart of everything we do and that is central to my role here.

“I love getting out there and engaging with the community and other local businesses to talk about how we can work together.”

Maddy, whose role as Business Development Manager sees her handle all marketing, events as well as building key relationships with local businesses and partners, hails from Clitheroe and was educated at Stonyhurst College and the London College of Fashion.

Sue Crimes, Gusto’s managing director, said: “We really have been wowed by the welcome Gusto has received since we opened the doors of our new Lytham restaurant.

“It is absolutely vital we work with the local community and other local businesses to build relationships. Bringing in someone of Maddy’s calibre, and someone who has such a real passion for the local area, was vital.

“We have a number of great events coming up in the next few months which we feel sure will really show off the wonderful restaurant we have created and our gold standard customer service.”

Gusto – which has 14 restaurants across the UK – invested more than £1 million in the 4,000sq ft restaurant and bar in Lytham, the company’s first outlet in Lancashire.

The company created 60 new jobs when the restaurant, situated on Dicconson Terrace, opened in April.

Events coming up include:

July 26 – British Red Cross Diamond Dinner. Tickets £40 to include Prosecco reception, three-course dinner, with guest Neil Geddes, a fine jewellery concierge who will show and talk about diamonds.

July 30 – Gusto is sponsoring 3,000 water bottles for the Trinity Colour Splash Run on the beach and staff will be there on the day helping and supporting the charity.

August 17 – Ladies lunch with Neom Organics and Stringers. Tickets £20 to include two-course lunch, spritz cocktail and talk and demonstration of Neom products by Stringers.

August 24 – Chase Vodka Tasting. Tickets £35 to include three-course dinner and five different vodkas from the Chase Distillery Range. Ben Hills from Chase will present the range and give a full run through of the spirits and how to use them in cocktails and food.

August 28 – late night cocktail club in the bar, DJ 9pm-1am, all cocktails £4.95 all night

September 30 – Macmillan coffee morning. Tickets £10, £5 to cover tea and coffee supplied by Gusto and £5 to Macmillan. Guests are asked to bring along cakes.

Families are going to be spoilt for choice at Lytham Festival this year with everything from outdoor cinema to workshops, art trails to the full proms experience and all right beside the seaside.

The idyllic locations of the Lytham Proms Main Arena and Lytham Hall will host screenings of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and children’s classic Labyrinth, while at the World Jazz Stage there aredrumming and song writing workshops.

Children and families can also explore the town by tracking down the CounterPART art installations which have taken over the streets of leafy Lytham.

Lytham Festival Director Peter Taylor said “We are always determined to make sure that Lytham Festival is one that can be enjoyed by all the family.

“We’ve expanded the outdoor cinema events to include a special screening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Lytham Green and of course Labyrinth is a children’s classic that celebrates its 30^th anniversary this year.

“Families can also get involved in the two fabulous musical workshops taking place at the World Jazz Stage and stroll through Lytham exploring the CounterPART installations – there really is something for everyone to enjoy.”

Kicking off the week on Monday 1 August at Lytham Hall there will be a chance for film buffs to celebrate the life of the late David Bowie with an outdoor screening of musical fantasy adventure Labyrinth. Released in 1986 and directed by Jim Henson, the film sees Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) set out to rescue her baby brother from the clutches of the Goblin King (David Bowie).

On Wednesday 3 August head to the Main Arena on Lytham Green for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Presented by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, the 7^th Star Wars episode was released in December 2015, seeing the return of favourite characters Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) amongst others. The film is also the highest grossing of all the Star Wars films and the third highest grossing movie of all time taking more than $2bn dollars at the Box Office.

The World Jazz Stageoffers two musical workshops that are suitable for children, giving all the family the chance to explore the world of music.

Children can try their hand at drumming on Saturday 6 August with two special Drumming Workshops facilitated by professional musicians and teaching the basics of drumming, rhythm and beats with a healthy dose of fun thrown in.

Things take a turn for the serene on Sunday 7 August when aspiring lyricists can put pen to paper with two Song Writing Workshops. Supported by professional musicians, children will explore the basics of rhyme and rhythm, and find inspiration for what could be the next big thing.

Both the drumming and song writing workshops run at 10am and 2pm and will last approximately two hours with a performance at the end by the musicians.

The CounterPART art installation trailruns for the whole week throughout the town and maps are available from the Lytham Festival Box Office in Lytham Piazza. The trail is completely free and will give families the chance to explore the town and experience the artwork while taking a break from the hustle and bustle of the Festival.

The Lytham Festival Box Office is now open in Lytham Piazza.

For more details about all events at Lytham Festival 2016 go to www.lythamfestival.com

Pop star and former X-Factor finalist Amelia Lily is to complete the line-up of hit Mod Musical SHOUT! when it heads to Blackpool Opera House this Autumn.

Amelia Lily joins Suzanne Shaw, Liz McClarnon, Niki Evans and Helena Blackman who have all previously been announced.

SHOUT! comes to Blackpool Opera House from October 19 to November 03 and tickets are available now from www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

Amelia rose to fame back in 2011 when she finished third on the eighth series of The X-Factor. Her debut single You Bring Me Joy reached number two in the UK Singles Chart and since then Amelia has carved herself a career in musical theatre with credits including Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Green Day’s hit punk rock musical American Idiot.

Speaking about her role as Yellow Girl in SHOUT! Amelia said: “I can’t wait to get to Blackpool and start Shout! It contains some of my favourite music. I’m joining a talented group of girls to bring this infectious musical to life and I can’t wait to open at the Winter Gardens later this year.’

West End, TV and former pop star Suzanne Shaw will lead the cast in the hit jukebox musical playing Red Girl and joining her will be Atomic Kitten and musical theatre star Liz McClarnon as Green Girl and former X-Factor finalist and musical theatre star Niki Evans as Orange Girl. Blue Girl will be played by Helena Blackman who, after rising to fame in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s TV show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria, has played countless roles in the West End.

SHOUT! is billed as the ultimate mod musical as this smashing revue tracks five groovy gals as they come of age during those liberating days that made England swing and includes a packed soundtrack of some of the biggest hits from the 1960s.

SHOUT! flips through the years like a musical magazine and takes you back to the music, fashion and freedom of the 60’s with hits from the likes of Petula Clark, Lulu and Dusty Springfield. Using letters to an advice columnist, true confessions, quizzes and advertisements SHOUT! boasts terrific new arrangements of such chart-topping hits as “To Sir With Love,” “Downtown,” “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” “Son of A Preacher Man,” and “Goldfinger.”

With its irresistible blend of hip-swivelling hits, eye-popping fashions and psychedelic dances from the 60’s, this fun-filled musical will make you want to throw your head back and SHOUT!

SHOUT! is presented by Peter Frosdick who most recently produced both A Christmas Carol and Tommy The Rock Opera at Blackpool Opera House.

Peter said: “We are thrilled Amelia Lily is able to join the cast of SHOUT! We have a fantastic line-up here and one which I feel appeals to a wide range of ages.

“SHOUT! is the perfect fun show and one where we want to see the audience up on their feet and dancing in the aisles. I am confident that with these five strong young women leading the show this is going to be one heck of a show to shout about in Blackpool this October!”

Winter Gardens Managing Director Michael Williams added: “Amelia Lily is a fantastic addition to what is already a very strong cast for SHOUT! and I am sure the show will be met with great enthusiasm when it opens in Blackpool.”

SHOUT! will run at Blackpool Opera House from Wednesday October 19 to Thursday November 3.

Tickets are on sale now priced from £15.

For more information go to www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

Step back in time and get ready for the biggest party in town as a sparkling new production of The Wedding Singer is heading to Blackpool’s Winter Gardens for one week only next Spring.

Jon Robyns, Ray Quinn, Cassie Compton, Roxanne Pallett and Ruth Madoc will star in the hilarious musical based on the hit film.

The Wedding Singer will play Blackpool Opera House from Tuesday July 4 to Saturday July 8 2017. Tickets priced from £15 go on sale from 9am Friday July 8 and are available from www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

It’s 1985. Hair is huge, greed is good and rock-star wannabe Robbie Hart is New Jersey’s favourite wedding singer. When his own fiancée dumps him at the altar a seriously bummed out Robbie makes every wedding as disastrous as his own.

Can sweet natured Julia and her best friend Holly lure Robbie out of the dumpster and back into the limelight?  Or is he going to see her head off down the aisle with Wall Street bad boy Glen. Only Grandma Rosie seems to be able to see that Robbie and Julia are the couple that are meant to be.

Today’s announcement is just the second show to be unveiled for Blackpool Opera House in 2017 after it was revealed earlier this year that Wonderland – a musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass – will run at the venue next April.

Winter Gardens Managing Director Michael Williams said: “This is a great announcement for 2017. The Wedding Singer promises to be an absolutely fantastic show and we are thrilled the Opera House will be part of the UK tour.

“The show has a really strong cast with Ruth, Roxanne and Ray all having strong Blackpool links having previously performed here so we look forward to welcoming them back as well as offering a warm welcome to all their fellow cast members.

“We are absolutely packed with hit musical theatre shows at the Winter Gardens during 2016. The Wedding Singer is just the second show to be announced for 2017 with many more exciting announcements to come soon.”

West End and Musical Theatre star Jon Robyns plays Robbie Hart. Most recently he starred in Legally Blonde as Emmett Forrest, other theatre credits include Enjolras in Les Misérables, Spamalot, Memphis and Avenue Q.

He is joined on stage by British singer-songwriter Ray Quinn as Glen who shot to fame as the runner-up in ITV1’s The X Factor in 2006 and as champion of Dancing on Ice in 2009. In 2014 he won Dancing on Ice: Champion of Champions. His theatre credits include Danny Zuko in Grease (West End), Dirty Dancing (West End) and Legally Blonde (UK Tour).

West End leading lady and X Factor finalist Cassie Compton plays Julia; her roles include Sabrina in American Psycho (Almeida, London) and Eponine in Les Misérables. Playing best friend Holly, Roxanne Pallett is perhaps best known for her long-standing role as Jo in ITV’s Emmerdale. She has also appeared in Waterloo Road and Casualty on screen and in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Vagina Monologues and John Godber’s On The Piste on stage.

No stranger to stage and screen, comedy veteran Ruth Madoc joins the company as Grandma Rosie. Ruth became a household name in the Eighties when she played Gladys Pugh in BBC comedy series Hi-De-Hi! More recently we’ve seen her on screen in ITV’s Benidorm, Mount Pleasant (Sky) and Stella (Sky). Samuel Holmes (Mrs Henderson Presents, West End) will play George. Further casting is to be announced.

The Wedding Singer 2017 UK Tour is Directed and Choreographed by Nick Winston. Set and Costumes are by Francis O’Connor. Musical Supervision is by Sarah Travis with Musical Direction and Orchestration by George Dyer. Lighting Design is by Ben Cracknell with Sound Design by Richard Brooker. Video Design is by Jack Henry James and Casting by Jim Arnold. The Wedding Singer is produced by Dan Looney, Paulden Hall Productions, Tom O’Connell and Jason Haigh-Ellery.

Don’t miss your chance to join the party of the year – with a musical that promises to get you up dancing faster than your Dad at a wedding, The Wedding Singer is packed with songs which capture all the fun and energy of the Adam Sandler smash hit film.

The Wedding Singer plays Blackpool Opera House from July 4 to July 8 2017. Tickets go on sale at 9am Friday and for more information or to book tickets go to www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

Virtuoso singer-songwriter and musician AJ Brown is returning to Tatton Park Concerts by the Lake supporting music legend Sir Tom Jones.

The concert on July 28 is part of the three-day Concerts by the Lake festival which also includes performances by Wet Wet Wet and the Hallé orchestra.

This latest announcement coincides with AJ joining Burt Bacharach’s four date tour and the release his new EP In The Moment: Live on June 20. He recorded the EP in front of a live audience in his hometown of Halifax following a 30-date sell-out UK tour with Collabro earlier this year.

AJ is no stranger to working with Sir Tom having supported him on his seven date tour in 2015, and he couldn’t be more excited to be working with him once again.

AJ also supported theHallé at Tatton Park last summer.

Speaking about supporting Sir Tom, AJ said: ”I’m thrilled to be working with Sir Tom again, he is a true legend in the music industry and I really enjoyed supporting him on his tour last year.

”Being asked to do it all over again is like a dream come true and I’m really looking forward to heading to Tatton and being a part of what is sure to be a really amazing night.

”I mean, who wouldn’t want to perform with Sir Tom Jones.”

Performing extensively in the UK, Ireland, Europe and Scandanavia, AJ’s music is influenced by the likes of Disclosure, Michael Buble and Lionel Richie, but all with his own unique twist.

Last year AJ had a whirlwind of performances supporting the likes of Marti Pellow, Billy Ocean, Elaine Paige, George Benson and Rebecca Ferguson. He also had a hugely popular residency atThe Pheasantry in London.

Tatton Park Concerts by the Lake organisers and AJ’s management Cuffe & Taylor are delighted to be adding him to the line-up.

Director Peter Taylor said: ”AJ is an incredibly talented young man with a bright future ahead of him so he was the perfect choice to join Sir Tom at Tatton.

”His music is really something that has got to be heard to be truly appreciated, whether he is performing classics or his own material, his soulful and smooth voice is really special.

”We’re really looking forward to welcoming him to Tatton along with the other concerts we have in store for people – these are three nights you don’t want to miss.”

Together with Sir Tom’s performance on July 28, Wet Wet Wet will perform on Friday July 29, while the Halléperform on Saturday July 30.

For further information and to ensure you secure your ticket go to www.ticketline.co.uk or call 0844 888 9991.

The wonderful world of master storyteller Roald Dahl will be sensationally brought to life by Manchester’s Hallé orchestra as part of this year’s Tatton Park Concerts by the Lake.

A specially created set list themed around the author’s life and works will be performed at the concert which rounds of three nights of live music on July 30.

Widely revered as one of the greatest ever storytellers for children, Dahl’s books have sold more than 200 million copies worldwide.

Hall é Pops Conductor Stephen Bell , said:“The writing of Roald Dahl is loved by children and adults alike all over the globe.

“His storytelling prowess and ability to transport people into a world of pure imagination was second to none and we’re delighted to perform this musical celebration of a great talent.

“Tatton Park Concerts by the Lake present a beautiful setting for us to perform and join with their existing programme of Dahl themed events this summer.”

Well known for their wide ranging repertoire The Hallé are now in their 158^th season and are ranked as one of the top symphonic ensembles in Europe, so it is sure to be a treat for those heading to Tatton for the concert.

On the night The Hallé will recognise Dahl’s time as a WW2 fighter pilot who flew numerous actions, with a performance of Walton’s iconic Spitfire Prelude and Fugue.

During his life Dahl also spent time working at the British Embassy and MI5, meeting James Bond creator Ian Fleming. He went on to write the screenplay to You Only Live Twice and the orchestra will perform Barry’s song of the same name.

In 1971 Dahl’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was adapted for its first movie outing with music created by Lesley Bricusse and Anthony Newley. The soundtrack is a favourite with people of all ages and on the night concert goers will hear Pure Imagination composed for the film.

Saint Saens’ Danse Macabre will provide a hint of Halloween when thinking about one of Dahl’s spookier stories The Witches. The song tells the tale of Halloween where Death calls forth the dead to dance for him while he plays his fiddle, in this performance represented with a lone violinist.

In 1968 Dahl wrote the screenplay for much loved family film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang based on Ian Fleming’s novel. Sure to have the audience singing along, the orchestra will perform the title song on the night.

Although born in Wales, both of Dahl’s parents were Norwegian and the author shared his name with national hero and explorer Roald Amundson. In a nod to his Norwegian roots The Halléwill round off their set with Grieg’s Norwegian Dance No. 2.

Promoters Cuffe and Taylor are no strangers to The Hallé after they performed at Lytham Festival in 2014 plus Concerts by the Lake in 2015, and are delighted to be working with them once again in 2016 for this special celebration of all things Dahl.

Cuffe and Taylor director Peter Taylor said:“The Hallé are, for me, unequalled in classical music circles and they are sure to be the perfect way to round off a weekend of live music.

“Not only that but this is a fantastic chance for families to come together to celebrate Roald Dahl as well as the stunning musical arrangements The Hallé have in store for us.

“Combining the storytelling, picnics, music and full fireworks spectacular this is shaping up to be a stunning night that you’ll remember for years.”

Theorchestra will be led on the night by Conductor Stephen Bell who has a wealth of experience having conducted the BBC Proms in the Park every year from 2005 to 2010, and has since then conducted the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra each year for their televised Last Night of the Proms concerts.

The Hall é are an English Symphony Orchestra and have been based at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall since 1996. They also support a choir, youth choir, youth trainer choir, children’s choir and youth orchestra, and regularly release recordings on their own award-winning label.

Tickets for all three ‘Concerts by the Lake’ events are on sale now.

For further information and to ensure you secure your ticket go to www.ticketline.co.uk or call 0844 888 9991.

Ticket prices:

Tom Jones – Adults from £37.50, children (aged 5-15) from £15

Wet Wet Wet – Adults from £45, children (aged 5-15) from £15

Hallé – Adults from £29.50, children (aged 5-15) from £15

VIP packages are available. For more details go to www.cuffeandtaylor.com

Bangor Cathedral Choir are to perform with Welsh singer Aled Jones MBE on Saturday 2 July in the homecoming concert of his 22-date Cathedral Tour.

The tour sees Classic FM presenter Aled visit cathedrals across England, Scotland and in his home country of Wales on a series of dates throughout May and June, following the release of his hugely successful album One Voice which soared to the number three spot in the Official UK Album Chart last month, making him the highest charting British male classical artist in a decade.

One Voice has also smashed Aled’s own personal best becoming his highest ever charting solo album, marking a sensational comeback for the former choirboy, with his first Top 10 album in 30 years.

The choir, which has 30 members and is based at the Bangor Cathedral, haven’t performed with Aled before but are very excited to be supporting him at his homecoming concert.

Speaking about the performance Paul Booth, Director of Music at Bangor Cathedral, said “It is great to welcome Aled Jones back to the place where his singing career began. Aled was a chorister here at the Cathedral in the 1980’s and it is most fitting, and a real privilege, that the current Cathedral Choristers will be singing with him at his ‘homecoming’ concert.

“The boys and girls are thrilled to be a part of what promises to be a fabulous evening and to be meeting and singing with Aled, who is a great supporter of Cathedral Music in general and in particular the Cathedral Choir at Bangor.”

Aled started out his musical career as a member of the choir at Bangor Cathedral and hasn’t sung with his hometown choir for 33 years.

Aled added: “I’m absolutely delighted to be returning to where it all began for me. Bangor Cathedral has a very special place in my heart as does its choir.

“I’m really looking forward to giving audiences the chance to experience some of my favourite songs in the beautiful surroundings of the Cathedral.

“I’ve not performed with the choir for a long time so I’m sure that this is going to be a really special night for everyone.”

During the tour Aled will perform many of his most loved songs along with a selection of folk songs which he recorded as a boy and which feature on his album One Voice.They include:Danny Boy, All Through the Night, Eriskay Love Lilt, O Rowan Tree and Ye Banks and braes. He will also perform the much-loved You Raise Me Up.

The Aled Jones Cathedral Tour is being presented by music promoters Cuffe and Taylor.

Tickets for the Aled Jones Cathedral Tour 2016 are available from £19.50 from www.ticketmaster.co.uk or by calling 0844 844 0444.

Lancashire’s hottest new restaurant Gusto is set to head outdoors to join in the celebrations for Lytham Club Day on June Saturday 25.

The 130-cover Lytham restaurant has added to the town’s thriving gastronomical scene and has received rave reviews from customers since its sensational opening back in April.

Gusto will be offering brunch lunch dinner and cocktails throughout the day (including our Make Your Own Childrens Menu) and will have a special outdoor Terrace Peroni Bar especially for the day.

Gusto Lytham’s General Manager Anna Whalan said:“We are really excited to be part of our first Lytham Club Day and can’t wait to be involved in the day.

“We’re looking forward to the whole experience but mostly we can’ wait to meet all the guests from the local community, it will be great to see Lytham coming together for the day

“We have received amazing support since opening in April and it’s days like Club Day that are really great to be part of.”

Following the Lytham Club Day celebrations, Gusto will host a special Hunters Gin tasting evening on Tuesday July 19.

On the night Gusto’s expert mixologists Founders of Hunter’s Gin will have a range of gin cocktails to try as well as sumptuous deli boards to share with friends – all making the perfect evening for the discerning gin lover.

And it is not just fine dining and amazing cocktails on offer at Gusto as Stars in their Eyes winner and George Michael tribute act Rob Lamberti will be performing at the restaurant on September 21 to delight fans of the 1980’s heartthrob.

Rob has carved out a reputation for being one of the best George Michael tribute acts in the country and will perform a full set of hits on the night including Faith and Careless Whisper.

All of the special events from Gusto will take place in the lavishly refurbished 4,000sq ft restaurant, bar and terrace in its stunningly renovated Grade II listed home on Dicconson Terrace.

Gusto Lytham threw open its doors in April with a special star studded launch party, giving food lovers the chance to rub shoulders with the likes of Lancashire Cricket Captain Steven Croft, England Test Spinner Simon Kerrigan, Paralympian Shellie Woods, comedy legend Bobby Ball, Coronation Street star Jacqueline Lennod and Dancing on Ice’s Dan Whiston.

Gusto, which opened its first site in Cheshire’s Alderley Edge in 2005, boasts a real sparkly vibe with its fashionable décor and a choice of more than 50 stylish cocktails.

The classic and contemporary menu uses fresh, carefully selected, simple ingredients to offer a wide choice of premium British and European dishes.

A lunch and brunch option, comprehensive worldwide wine list and a selection of unique specials with a family focused Children’s Menu served until 6pm.

For more information or to book for any of the special events visitwww.gustorestaurants.uk.com or call 01253 737001.

June 20, 2016 – Music promoters Cuffe and Taylor are delighted to announce that fans of Sir Tom Jones and Wet Wet Wet will be able to bring picnics to concerts at Cheshire’s Tatton Park this summer.

Lytham Festival organisers have fired a message into space inviting UK astronaut Major Tim Peake to come and see Noel Gallagher perform his intergalactic classic.